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Destination Wedding Weekend in Tulum

After spending time in Tulum and on the Riviera Maya, we realized how perfect this part of Mexico is for a destination wedding weekend. The quaint little seaside town of Tulum is full of beachside boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, shops and beaches.

How perfect would it be to take over a few cabanas at a boutique hotel, grab beach cruisers for all your guests and have a long weekend of celebrations? That really would be destination wedding perfection!

So we went ahead and put together what we consider the ideal four day Tulum destination wedding itinerary.

Let's dive in...

Where to Stay

La Zebra offers 24 unique rooms ranging from classic cabanas to contemporary suites. This beachside hotel is casual and cool. It has a fun lounge right on the sand and a restaurant housed under a large palapa-style pavilion.

Sanara Hotel - 14 rooms

Sanara Hotel offers 14 contemporary beachside rooms. This boutique inn is located right next door to La Zebra. If you have a large group of guests, you can book into both hotels. Sanara offers daily yoga session and, more importably, it has a fantastic restaurant. The hotel's eatery is called Real Coconut, and it offers gluten-free, vegetarian and locally-sourced cuisine.

Be Tulum offers 20 unique cabanas with a rustic-chic vibe. The beach club, pool and dining area make up an eclectic party space that is ideal for your wedding celebrations (both the formal stuff and the casual day-before or day-after party). Be Tulum is just a short bike ride south of La Zebra and Sanara.

The Itinerary

Day 1: The arrival & welcome reception

Tulum is located less than two hours from Cancun International Airport. This makes it easy for guests to drive a rental car or take a bus to Tulum. You can arrange a shuttle for your guests from the airport. Why not let the fun start on the ride down? You can pre-arrange for the shuttle to be stocked with local beer, waters and party hats so that your guests can start the fun as soon as they step off the plane.

After your guests get settled in, it's time for a welcome reception. We suggest hosting a "White Party" at the Sanara Hotel. With the grey and white lounge furniture and cabanas, your guests will feel like they just arrived at Nikki Beach. Serve a signature cocktail with one of Sanara’s fresh pressed juices and mix and mingle with your guests right on the sand. (This is a beach destination after all).

Day 2: Adventure, relaxation, & rehearsal dinner

Give your wedding guests the option of having a little adventure at the local cenotes. There are hundreds of fresh-water cenotes in and around Tulum. Some Tulum-bsaed companies like Adventure Tour Center Tulum can organize a private excursion for your guests.

If your guests would rather just lounge beachside, we recommend booking into Be Tulum. Even if your guests stay at nearby hotels, you can invite them to head over for the day for a pool party.

For some evening fun, we recommend hosting a Mexican fiesta rehearsal dinner at La Zebra. You can hire a local mariachi band, string up a pinata or two, serve La Zebra’s signature margaritas and mojitos, and even set up a ceviche and taco bar.

Day 3: The Wedding Day

Because Tulum has such a diverse list of attractions, you should allow your guests to have part of a day to themselves to explore the town or relax at the beach. Provide a list of restaurants for your guests to check out, and make sure there are plenty of beach cruisers available for getting around town. For our list of worthwhile restaurants, check out our Tulum Guide.

Wedding ceremony at Be Tulum

With its rustic beach charm and secluded location, Be Tulum is the ideal location for a destination wedding ceremony and reception. Because of its Anthropologie-style decor, you don't need to do much decorating... the ambiance of rustic romance is already in place. You can have your ceremony right on the sand, then have cocktails poolside and serve the reception dinner on Tulum's long wood tables. After dinner, you and your guests can dance the night away under the stars.

Day 4: Departure

Hopefully, it's been a fun-filled weekend, but on Day Four, it's time to depart. Before they go, you can give your guests a casual departure brunch at La Zebra. Your guests can enjoy a made-to-order Bloody Mary bar and savor huevos rancheros and other breakfast and lunch specialities.

Day 5: Honeymoon Departure

Tulum is located very close to many amazing destinations in the Caribbean. If you are looking for an off the beaten path honeymoon destination, you should seriously consider heading over to the island of Cuba. Cuba is just one hour from Cancun by air. Many people are planning a getaway to Cuba right now due to the recent lifting of the US travel ban. We have published information on having a honeymoon in Cuba right on this blog.

Have you planned a destination wedding weekend in Tulum? Tell us about your itinerary below.

Jamie is the Founder of Venuelust & Co-Founder of Estate Weddings and Events, Inc. Jamie has been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Union Tribune, The Baltimore Sun, Rue Magazine, Grace Ormonde, Style Me Pretty, WE TV, Bravo, Premier Homes, and many other publications. She is a lover of travel, off the beaten path venues, and once in a lifetime experiences.